Saturday, 30 June 2012

For any sized garage, most jobs require auto lifts. If you want to complete the work you have on time and in a safe manner, check your car lift parts on a regular basis. While it may seem like a large amount of work, it doesn't require a lot of time as long as you follow the process consistently. This guide will help you go through the process of checking over this vital equipment.

Hydraulics

Because of the extreme pressure experienced by hydraulic systems in auto lifts, you should check all of the hydraulics and repair anything that looks out of shape, cracked, or otherwise damaged. The hoses should have no leaks, cracks, or wear marks that might cause problems. Finally, check the fluid level and top it off using the appropriate fluid when necessary. Once you have completed everything, raise and lower the platform to ensure it moves smoothly before testing it with a load.

Latches And Security Features

Operators often fail to check these items, but they are some of the most important car lift parts found on auto lifts of any style. If anything should go wrong, these will be the only thing that will make the difference between a terrible accident and a narrow escape. All of the latches and safety features must be in place and in good working order at all times. You should also test features such as latches and other items to ensure they will not give way under pressure before raising the vehicle too far from the ground.

Movement

The movement of the machine as it raises and lowers often indicates possible problems with the equipment. So long as everything moves evenly without jerking or hesitation, everything should be fine. If you notice any irregular movement, however, you need to have the system checked over thoroughly before adding any weight to it.

Examine The Platform

The main platform can sustain damage from improper use or the passage of time. Make sure to include these car lift parts in your routine check as well. You want to look for anything that appears bent or cracked as well as anything that may be loose or out of the ordinary. If you do happen to notice something, remove the machine from use or disable it until you can have it repaired properly. Failure to do so could cause any number of problems including having a vehicle fall, slide, or become stuck. Finally, grease or lubricate any areas recommended by the manufacturer.

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

More and more people are choosing to ride bikes for their daily commutes or for recreation and exercise. As bicycling enjoys a resurgence in popularity, however, many motorists remain uninformed of the ways to drive near bikes safely, without endangering the lives of others. If a motorists collides with a bicycle, it is the cyclist who usually suffers the most serious injuries. In fact, 784 people died in cycling accidents in 2005.

Many of these tragic accidents could have been avoided had the cyclist followed all traffic laws and safety regulations. Dangerous behaviors by cyclists that increase the risk of accidents include:

Riding against the flow of traffic, such as the wrong way down a one-way street

Riding at night without lights

Riding on sidewalks

Running red lights and stop signs

Failing to wear a helmet

By following proper regulations, bicyclists can reduce the likelihood of a serious accident.

Motorists Can Prevent Bicycle Accidents

Although some bike accidents are caused by cyclist behavior, many other times these preventable accidents are the fault of the motorist. Drivers should take extreme cautions around bikes and do their part to prevent accidents. Examples of common bicycle accidents caused by drivers include:

Failing to leave three feet of space between the motor vehicle and the bicycle. By driving too closely to a cyclist, drivers put the cyclist at risk for injury.

Making a turn directly into a moving cyclist. Drivers should check their right-hand side for cyclists before turning right. Additionally, since cyclists follow the same traffic laws as motorists, they should be given the right-of-way when appropriate.

Blocking the bike lane. Drivers should not drive, stop, or park in the bike lane. This lane is designed to help keep bikers out of dangerous traffic situations. Forcing a biker to navigate around a vehicle parked in the bike lane may cause an accident.

Opening parked car doors into the direct path of an approaching cyclist. A high-speed collision with a car door can prove fatal for a cyclist. If stopped or parked by the curb, always check for approaching cyclists and open vehicle doors with caution.

By staying aware of the presence of cyclists, drivers can do their part to keep everyone safe out on the road.

Sunday, 24 June 2012

For car lovers, their vehicles are like their children. You always want to do everything you can to make sure that your baby performs brilliantly, while also ensuring that it remains in perfect condition. Thus, purchasing car performance parts becomes a necessity. It doesn't make any sense to outright buy a factory manufactured machine and expect it to become the king of the road. To be able to do that, you would need to acquire loads of skill and practice. But even the best racers admit that apart from skill, you need extra fittings so that your car performs better. There are certain things you can do to ensure that no matter how bad the road is, you are able to make the best out of the ride.

The first thing to do would be to get an electronic engine. This is one of the most essential parts among the car performance parts. These engines, unlike the traditional mechanical ones run on programmed chips. There is a central processing unit which coordinates, controls, and manages all actions seamlessly and boosts performance. This would provide the best possible ignition control, variable gear switching and knock control, thus helping you make those impossible maneuvers possible.

The best part is that while racing, your car would automatically enter maximum performance mode, and while driving casually, it would adjust itself to the best economy mode. Next and very important part for racers is a nitrous driver. Nitrous oxide mixes brilliantly with fuel, and gives your car that surge of power which is essential for a race. However, you must make sure that you don't use this while overtaking another racer, as the car is more difficult to control in terms of direction while using the nitrous driver.

One of the most essential and often ignored car performance parts is the tires. The tires control the movement of the car across the roads, and are also subjected to the most abuse while racing. You need special tires for racing, and they should have a lower gradient of friction, and have a very high resistance to heat.

However, if the place where you drive is often afflicted by rains or snow, then it is best to go for tires that have a very high friction gradient as it would ensure better safety. To enhance the engine's performance, you can also get special chips fitted into the car. These chips are programmed to automatically enhance the signals you give through the gears and the ignition and thus, you find that the car responds to your commands much faster, and better.

This is essential for racers because while racing, you would have to sometimes issue multiple commands, which an ordinary engine would normally take several seconds to respond to. While purchasing the parts, you must remember that not all parts are compatible with every car. It is best that you check the compatibility of your car's make and model with the parts that you want to buy, and then get something that would work.

Saturday, 16 June 2012

Classic muscle cars have made a comeback in popular culture due in a large part to their being featured in the popular Hollywood franchise, The Fast and the Furious.

Illegal drag racing had been going out for years before the Fast and the Furious franchise glamorized the whole experience. People who weren't even into cars or racing suddenly had an all new fascination for the classic muscle car and the gritty underworld of street racing.

It also didn't hurt that the leads were easy on the eyes! Dominic Toretto, the character played by Vin Diesel was totally a dream come true for women looking for a tough guy with solid family values. Brian O'Connor was the quintessential "good boy gone bad" with his love for speed and constant need to prove himself to his superiors as well as to Toretto and his crew.

Fans of the movie have spent thousands on trying to capture the look and feel of the cars in the movies. From forming street racing clubs to chopping up and modifying their own muscle-bound high-performance vehicles - the underground racing scene has only grown and matured as the sophisticated technology showcased in the movies has crossed over into the real world.

Unlike motorcycle clubs and gangs which have prominent embroidered patches on their jackets, however, the drag racing crowd keep most of their affiliations on the down-low since law enforcement is almost always sniffing around, trying to catch them.

Dominic Torreto's 1970 Dodge Charger R/T

My favorite classic muscle car from the Fast and the Furious franchise has got to be Dom's 1970 Dodge Charge R/T. It was probably the most in-your-face "I'm a man's man" vehicle in the whole series. We don't know if anything from the sixth installment can top that matte black monster that was so iconic it made it to three different installments.

The first Dodge Charger hit the market back in 1966. The classic muscle car heavyweight custom body was built on the chassis of the Dodge Coronet, another classic. The car from the Fast and the Furious was conceptualized as the brand's first powerful high-speed street racer with a fully equipped interior that had four bucket seats and a full-length floor console.

The 1970 Dodge Charger R/T originally belonged to the Dominic and Mia's father and his son kept it and maintained it to honor him. The powerful Chrysler 426 HEMI V-8 engine hiding under hood was enough to get Dom out of a lot of sticky situations. The body was built like a tank and even after doing a spectacular flip and crash at the end of the first movie that would have crushed other cars that weren't built like the Charger - Dom stilled rolled out with minimal injuries.

Join a club

If you're thinking of starting or joining a club to meet and rub elbows with other lovers of the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T but without the illegal drag racing, consider outfitting your group with embroidered car club jackets. They're an inexpensive way to represent your motor love. If there isn't a local club where you live, consider the National Hemi Owners Association.

Thursday, 14 June 2012

The problem with today's car electrical is becoming so intricate due to the innovations of the present technology but the design is basically the same as 20 years ago. A quick check of the major components of car's electrical system will do you a lot of good rather be stranded in the middle of nowhere. One of the major components of a car's electrical is the battery. One important factor to consider is the proper care of the car battery by seeing to it that the battery and connections are always clean and properly ventilated to remove the risks of dangerous fumes and explosive gases. When buying a new battery be sure to buy one with a compatible or higher rating than the previous and the same group size to fit into the battery plate and connections. Before replacing the battery, be sure to check the car's electrical system because you might be having other problems besides battery replacement. Do a checking of the alternator because this might be the cause of the problem.

The alternator is the device that works with the battery of the car to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in the form of alternating current. The battery supplies the electricity and the alternator continually charges the battery so you need never have to worry about the car suddenly stalling. You might be on your way home when suddenly the radio stops, the dash lights go dim and finally the head lights are gone. You pull off to the side road and finally the car has no more power. Sometimes, you might think that it is the battery that went off but it might be the alternator taking its last breath.

It is very important for the car's electrical system to be checked at least every two years or when there are major problems that are experienced. This is probably due to the computerized control systems that are severely affected by fluctuations in voltage. The average trouble shooting knowledge might not be enough on certain situations that the necessity for a maintenance check be done by the proper technicians. Mustang parts are the market authority on car parts and accessories. Just do an online search for the Mustang product tested and track ready products to be shipped within the day the order was placed with 100% free shipping. Take advantage of the holiday discounts on the car electrical parts for good performance.

Monday, 11 June 2012

While major U.S. automakers are focusing on hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, Volvo took a different route, unveiling a sports car powered entirely with lithium-ion batteries. Volvo's 3CC concept car, won "Best Design" and five Gold Standards at the recent Michelin Challenge Bibendum environmental competition in Shanghai, China.

"Not only does the 3CC combine classic Volvo styling cues with exotic gull-wing doors and a tapered, 2+1 seating configuration, but it does so with a highly advanced lithium-ion battery electric drive train. That's a step apart from the crowd, which these days is largely focused on hybrid and fuel cell concepts," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal.

"Just as the earlier ECC forwarded new thought in hybrid propulsion with its high-speed turbine-generator design," adds Cogan, "today's lithium-ion 3CC innovates with its thousands of smallish laptop computer-style batteries, which power this zero emission vehicle to impressive levels of efficiency and performance."

Advanced research into sustainable mobility and Volvo engineers have placed particular focus on the conditions regulating safety in small cars and their ability to handle incoming forces in a frontal collision.

The unique aerodynamic styling of Volvo's 3CC concept car allows room for a third seat in back. The unique ducktail design creates room for a third seat in the back, while the batteries are sandwiched into the floor panels.

The 3CC concept car features an 80-kilowatt motor that delivers up to 107 horsepower, it has a potential driving range of 300 km (approx 180 miles) the 3CC has a top speed of over 135 km per hour.

The carbon-fiber body is mounted on a steel space frame and composite floor panels, giving the lightweight vehicle the ability to leap to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds. Volvo says the 3CC can travel 180 miles on one charge under ideal driving conditions

The Volvo 3 CC's safety features include Volvo Safety Ride Down Concept, a unique solution with a seat system that moves forward, a bit like a sled, at the same time as the front is deformed. This movement is slowed with the help of adaptive shock absorbers that tailor the damping effect to suit the collision force and the occupants' number and weight. The interior can be moved between 0 and 200 mm forward, which has the same overall effect as extending the crumple zone by a corresponding length. It has seats that slide forward at the moment of deformation, the intention being to compensate for the small car's traditional lack of space in the crumple zone.

Virtual tests showed that the most important part of a ride-down system is the energy absorber and that it needs to be adaptive in order to be a viable concept, by responding to differences in occupant load and crash severity".

An environmentally efficient car that also has to be comfortable, enjoyable to drive, attractive to look at and safe to ride is an entirely new approach. The result is the Volvo 3CC, a sporty and appealing, extremely aerodynamic and compact car equipped with an energy-efficient electric motor.

Like Volvo, Parts Train never compromise satisfaction when serving customers. Its proven reliability for genuine and quality Volvo auto parts keep customers coming back at their online shop http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/VOLVO for years. Dependable, long lasting Volvo replacement parts, performance parts make up its over a million stock. Browse through Parts train's online store to gain access to its most affordable Volvo car parts. Their friendly sales staffs are on hand to give valuable assistance for confidence that you are getting first class quality Volvo car parts.

Thursday, 7 June 2012

Are you interested to learn how you can convert your car to run with hydrogen and increase your car mileage? Recently, there has been a lot of attention given to hybrid cars because of the spike in gas prices. Even airlines and car manufacturers are looking for gas alternatives and other ways to allow their customers to travel more affordably. The concept of hydrogen cars sounds really exciting and is definitely true. It is used by many people around the world.

1. Why Are Thousands Of Drivers Converting Their Cars To Run With Hydrogen?

In order to obtain the H2 gas necessary to be burned for power, water is split by an electrical process called electrolysis. Thus it is obvious that the biggest benefit is that the driver is now able to use water as the source of fuel instead of gasoline. This allows him or her to save a tremendous amount of money, since we know how ridiculously high fuel prices are today.

On top of that, many governments now give tax relief to people who use water instead of gas to run their cars. These tax benefits add further to costs savings. Car engine performance and mileage are also increased. Finally, when run with hydrogen, the amount of carbon monoxide emissions from the vehicle are reduced significantly, thus it also has the benefit of environmental conservation.

2. How Can You Convert Your Car To Run On Hydrogen?

I managed to do so with an online guide I downloaded that utilizes the Water4Gas technology. I then proceeded to build the H2 on demand system out of parts and materials bought at a nearby hardware store.

3. Maintaining the Car

Once you start running your car with water, you will need to check the water balance regularly to make sure that it is at sufficient level. Of course, you will need to continue with your regular checking of tire pressure and changing of oil.

Monday, 4 June 2012

In today's economy, it is sometimes necessary to find different ways to make money outside of what your actual type of employment consists of. For many people, that side hustle has to do with buying dirt cheap cars, fixing them up, and then reselling them to people who need vehicles for a substantial profit. If you are at all mechanically sound or willing to learn and to you on the way to get some extra cash in your pocket to catch up on bills, save for a new baby, or move to a new place and flipping dirt cheap cars just may be the site hustle that you need to get started. All you need now are a few resources for finding these cars. Read on for more information on where you can find dirt cheap cars to fix up.

The Local Newspaper

The local newspaper is one of your best resources for finding dirt cheap cars. Many times, there are people who are selling cars for As Is prices, with no guarantee of work. If you can get these cars for just a few hundred dollars, find a way to cheap enough parts to where you can replace and still make a profit, you stand to at least double the money that you invested in the actual starter car in the first place.

The Wheeler Dealer and Similar Papers

Chances are that your community has a free local magazine that pertains wholly to cars, and what must be done to sell, buy, or even trade a car. These magazines allow people to list wanted ads and sale ads and other types of advertisements and gives businesses in the community a chance to show their support and increase their exposure by buying advertisement space. This is a great way to buy dirt cheap cars with an As Is price tag, and an even better way to get dirt cheap cars than the regular classifieds. This space is designated solely for those who have business for cars, so people are easily able to get in touch with like-minded people. Those who are looking to have a little business going could get some good clientele on here as well, so it is important to find these papers in your community and learn how to use them to your advantage.

Places to find really cheap cars are police impound lots where auctions are usually held monthly. Also eBay, Craigslist and, believe it or not, new car lots. New car lots get trades that they know they will have a hard time getting rid of. Another great place for cheap cars is insurance companies as they will typically purchase a vehicle from a client when it will cost more to fix than to scrap.